Read a full match report of the autumn international between Ireland XV and
Fiji at Twickenham on Saturday, November 17, 2012.

Ulster’s Craig Gilroy scored a hat-trick as Ireland’s second string had little difficulty against Fiji. There were four first-half tries as Ireland, dominant throughout, coasted to a 29-0 half-time lead.

The first touchdown of the second half came almost immediately after the restart and not only stretched the lead further but heralded the beginning of the arrival of the replacements and the slowing of the game’s tempo.

It also brought three yellow cards as Timoci Matanavou, Chris Henry and Tuapati Talemaitoga were sin-binned between the 45th and 66th minutes.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney might have preferred a tougher encounter in order to test his fringe players. But he will have to make do with a night where Ulster’s young backs Paddy Jackson, Luke Marshall, Darren Cave and Gilroy all staked claims to be assessed again internationally. The recently converted New Zealander Mike Bent came into game early in the second half, replacing Mike Ross and adding to speculation that he is being considered to start next week against Argentina.

The opening try had come as early as the ninth minute, Gilroy finishing off a move begun by Jackson and featuring some deft work by Marshall as the link.

Gilroy followed up by making the key break for the second try 11 minutes later. However, having been caught by Fiji full-back Metuisela Talebula, Ireland swept swiftly from right wing to left wing for McFadden to score out wide.

Ireland ran back the restart finishing with Cronin squeezing over as, with the score at 24-0 after 24 minutes, the game was over as a contest. Not to be outdone by his Ulster three-quarter team-mates having combined neatly for the opening try, Cave ducked in behind some loose defending for the fourth touchdown.

Jamie Heaslip’s best surge of the game set up McFadden’s second try just after the break.

Fiji’s had only their second foray of the game into the Irish 22m which saw another penalty kicked to touch; there followed some concerted pressure on the Irish line but was concluded by a superb Iain Henderson steal.

Substitute Simon Zebo took an excellent line to feed Gilroy for the sixth try, while the same player raced 85 metres following an earlier intercept for the seventh.

Luke Marshall finished the game’s scoring following a powerful burst by Henderson.

It was simply another reason for Ulster to celebrate as, indeed, Gilroy was announced the man of the match. Ireland had made one late change among their replacements, Keith Earls deputising for Johnny Sexton.